Belian Traditional Ceremony (East Kalimantan)

Belian Traditional Ceremony, one of the traditional ceremonies of the Dayak Paser Tribe

Indonesia is blessed with tribal and cultural wealth that stretches across its various islands. One of the islands is Kalimantan which is famous for its native tribe, namely the Dayak tribe. The Dayak tribe also has various groups spread across the various islands of Kalimantan. One of the Dayak tribes on the island of Kalimantan is the Dayak Paser in East Kalimantan Province. Even though East Kalimantan will later become the province where the new capital is located, many areas here still adhere to traditions passed down from generation to generation. One of them is Batu Sopang District, South Paser Regency, East Kalimantan.

Dayak Paser in East Kalimantan has a traditional ceremony called Belian. Belian comes from the word "beli" which means in the Paser language, namely taring. Then "kelian" which means to recover or be able to rise. If translated, it means fangs that can heal. One of the traditional activities in the Paser area which is still preserved today between generations.

At the end of September 2022, i had the opportunity to visit Batu Sopang, East Kalimantan to complete work on a forestry project. As usual, i always take the time to chat with the people around the forest about their daily life activities. One of the people, named Rifqi, said that there would be a traditional event in his area which would be attended by various people from villages around the area in the near future. This traditional event is called Belian. He explained that Belian traditional events are rarely held and only at certain times. I quickly made an appointment with him to come see this traditional event which is rarely done. 

The house of one of the residents where the Belian Traditional Ceremony took place

The Belian ceremony is a ceremony carried out to pay wishes and wishes for healing. The Belian ceremony is led by a shaman known as "Mulung". The leader of the Belian ceremony usually comes from Mulung descent or can also be someone trusted by the local community.

Mulung is offering prayers to the ancestors

Several local mass media also participated in enlivening and documenting the traditional ritual. The village government took part in watching this sacred and rarely held event take place. Even though this traditional cultural event is not widely disseminated, only to local village communities, this event is very well attended by various age groups, both children and parents.

Exactly in the evening on September 26 2022, i rushed to the residence of one of the residents in Kasungai Village, Batu Sopang. Many people had gathered there. The house owned by the Head of the Neighborhood Association in the village is the place where this traditional event takes place. Several motorbikes were seen parked in front of his residence. Local residents were seen taking advantage of this event to sell food and drinks to visitors who came. Musical accompaniment could be heard from inside the house, causing the gathered residents to watch the sacred Belian traditional event from outside the window. Immediately i gave permission for the residents to come inside. Rifqi and i entered the house.

In a series of Belian processions, Mulung will offer prayers to the ancestors. The Mulung (Belian shaman) will wear fangs called sambit. Apart from fangs, Mulung also wears a brass bracelet called gitang. Three Mulung people were seen reciting prayers alternately accompanied by occasional music. Then, a white chicken was held by a Mulung in front of a pile of offerings. Strangely, the chicken didn't move at all. According to Rifqi, the chicken had been filled with evil spirits around the village after various spells were recited by the Mulung. Believe it or not, we have to respect what really happens in this Belian Ceremony.

Petep musical accompaniment, a type of gamelan/kenong, plays continuously throughout the ritual. Several times residents were seen taking turns playing musical instruments. From small children to adults, they take turns playing it. Then, the Mulung stood up and danced a little in the living room of the house while following the petep music. When the music stopped, Mulung then returned to offering prayers to the ancestors. Seen, a resident threw candy and several rupiah coins from outside the house through the window. Suddenly, the residents who were watching scrambled to pick up the gifts which were scattered on the floor of the house.

Music played by several residents played throughout the event

An elderly woman was seen lying limp in the middle of a crowd of sitting mothers. It turned out that the woman was the host who was sick. Her family held a Belian Ceremony to hope for healing for the woman. I emphasize that this Belian traditional event is not a thanksgiving event that is packaged as a tourist attraction and becomes a mere spectacle, but rather a traditional event that is packaged together for the purpose of remembering its God.

Residents who take part in the Belian Traditional Ceremony

According to the people there, this event was held for eight consecutive days. The ritual can last all night, until it ends at dawn. The Belian ceremony in Kasungai Village will take place from September 25 to October 3 2022. Even though the event lasted quite a long time, this did not mean that fewer residents came.